Homemade Lotion Bars: A Satisfyingly Short Project

[@mamacass1880]

For future reference, be super careful with citrus oils on your skin when you are in the sun. Citrus oils can cause some pretty severe burns on your skin when exposed to the sun. You should also use dried herbs instead of fresh to prevent any chance of mold in your final product. Your bars came out way better than the first time I made mine 😂 oils and waxes were ALL over my kitchen. When it comes to the beeswax you can use a cheese grater or you can get pelleted beeswax from suppliers like brambleberry, way easier to measure and so much less work.

[@LotteQuintelier]

Yep, beeswax is really hard to cut up (so you melt it first and then measure what you need). It does not come off in the dishwasher and it will clog your drains. I have a dedicated pot to melt beeswax with (for making candles, leather balm and furniture wax), because you will never really get rid of all of the remains. Also, my entire kitchen still has spots of beeswax everywhere, weeks after processing each batch. The easiest way to clean it up is with a cloth when the wax is still warm, or with a kitchen scraper when it has hardened.

[@annep.1905]

Try "Bar Keeper's Friend" for getting rid of those tough Beeswax spots. That stuff works on practically everything. It is toxic if ingested (as many cleaners are), just so you know.

[@LotteQuintelier]

@@annep.1905 unfortunately not available in Belgium, but might be useful to other people!

[@annep.1905]

Well, Bar Keepers Friend is an oxalic acid based cleaner, so if you boil a bunch of rhubarb leaves in your pot, that might work just as well. Or perhaps there's a similar oxalic acid based, powder cleaner in Belgium that you can buy?@@LotteQuintelier

[@kathypelot2187]

Yep, I use a paper towel when it is still warm. Then discard the paper towels then wash with hot water ,soap and another paper towel.

[@rheaskye3056]

I'm a year late, but use a cheese grater for the beeswax. You can be fair more precise with your weights and you don't risk losing a finger.

[@gettheetothestitchery]

That is a great tip, thank you!

[@TenaciousWorkshop]

Freeze the beeswax chunk and then hit it with a hammer. It will shatter into more manageable pieces. But, speaking from experience, put it in a bag first! 😅 Also, isopropyl alcohol will clean / dissolve beeswax fairly well. Be careful using it on some wood finishes, though - because it can take that off, too! But a standard kitchen counter? Easy peasy. Hope this helps anyone reading it! 😊

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

That’s why my husband doesn’t care if things are all raggedy! He’s one of eight children. If it looks worn, it doesn’t bug him. On the other hand, my mother was raised by a father, who was very particular, and they literally couldn’t replace things if they broke so she treats her furniture like that will be the only couch or table she’ll ever have. To be honest, she bought her couch in 1966 perhaps and it has had three different upholstery fabrics. Mom bought her kitchen table in 1973. It is glass and it is without scratches. So I’m busy making sure nothing gets wrecked and my husband doesn’t understand why I’m so particular. Having said that, we’ve been married almost 28 years. We’re really happy, but I never could understand why he didn’t get upset when things get wrecked. It’s not like he tries to hurt things or anything but his lack of worry has always surprised me.

[@peglamphier4745]

I made these today, but only 4 oz. each cause... you know.... thanks for the tutorial. I used beeswax pellets which were easy to measure and melted a nicely. You were right-- easy peasy! And so satisfying. Thanks for the tutorial-- you never fail to delight.

[@rubyx07]

I love making my own lotion bars!! I love using sweet almond oil with shea butter. It makes the most luxurious lotion. And you can get cocoa butter that doesn't smell like it. Deodorized cocoa butter wafers and you can get beeswax pellets too.

[@kathymay8821]

I found that wiping my equipment with alcohol after use gets a lot of the leftovers off my stuff.

[@em.ly8693]

Rosemary and mint is a good mix too!!!

[@kohlraedirectioner]

I would love a project like this! I think I would do tea tree as my essential oil, as it's my favorite scent (and also has antibacterial properties!). And I would definitely use shea butter over cocoa butter, just because I love the way it makes my skin and hair feel, and I wouldn't wanna risk that cocoa butter might feel different.

[@gojoxsanzo]

To cut beeswax, you can use a bread knife and just saw it. Or, if you have a knife you don't mind ruining, you can just heat it and then cut (have to re-heat throughout the process of cutting though)

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Oo good tips! Heating the knife definitely would have been helpful... I'll know for next time!

[@ritzyecoy7871]

put a tablesppon of cornstarch in the mixture help with the greesyness

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

I’m so allergic to corn products I hope anyone who does that and sells their bars. Will put that on the label. I love lotion bars. I would hate to get inflamed skin.

[@bearhugzfam649]

Oh hey, I've done this! Love the project but oh my lord I made enough to stock a store last time lol so I'm waiting on making more.

[@midnightqueen3332]

You will have to give us a status report on how well they work! or anyone else watching, if you know, I would love to know. I hate store lotions most the scents are too strong for me.

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Making your own would definitely be a great way to get around those scents! These work really well - they have the feeling of a really strong lotion, more like a cream, but they look adorable and do their job!

[@KristenK78]

I personally love mixing herbs/earthy smells with citrus. My current favorite is mint and lemon. SO GOOD!

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

You have such a funny storytime

[@ElderMidwife]

Bees wax pellets are great

[@Zone8-jk]

Use corn starch to stop the oily feel.

[@dagwoodspott2199]

AWESOME !!! That project did look like fun ;) I did think it was chocolate when I saw it on your insta but someone already said it so ;) Please get back to use on how it works for you though ;) Thanks for sharing ;D

[@gettheetothestitchery]

It's working pretty nicely! I was worried about them not staying solid, but we keep our house pretty chilly, so they've actually become more solid than normal, and I have to hold one in my hands for a bit to warm it up and get some residue off. Definitely a fun project to try out!

[@lynnmorello7863]

washing. I have a large bucket that I fill with washing water, when finished I toss it out onto the grass.

[@aprildavidson1298]

So I would have grated the beeswax instead of cutting it. It will also melt faster if it’s grated and you take away the risk factor of chopping your fingers off with that knife. You can also purchase pellets which are very easy to work with.

[@dawnish7559]

hi could you put the containers in fridge or freezer to harden so can get the residue out just a thought

[@pennyvdl]

Sweet Almond oil absorbs much better than coconut oil, and is much less greasy. 😊

[@LotteQuintelier]

Coconut oil is very sensitive to room temperature. Won't the cubes stick and melt together if you leave them in the same bowl?

[@gettheetothestitchery]

I think the addition of the beeswax and shea butter solves that problem - these have been sitting in that bowl in my living room for a couple months now, and they are actually all solid still, no melting or sticking together at all!

[@LotteQuintelier]

@@gettheetothestitchery thanks, that makes me more eager to try it myself 😊

[@em.ly8693]

Cheese grater for beeswax

[@ellenjohnson2826]

Heat up your knife to make cutting the wax easier

[@ponderosityjay8132]

If you have to cut beeswax, heat the knife in hot water first.

[@elynamusy]

Maybe heat up the blade of the knife would have helped to cut that beeswax 🤔 PS: Sorry for the possible mistake I'm French 😌

[@EphanyasisOwleyes]

I had to come watch this before watching you make candles😂

[@PedalThumper]

ok, yeah, this video is 2 yrs old but i gotta say- heat up your knife before trying to cut beeswax- seriously run it under super hot water- will make your life so much easier.

[@aebbingeable]

Good that you didn't put lavender in it because it can cause irritations of it is an essential oil😅

[@EphanyasisOwleyes]

If you're going to cut it you should always heat your knife

[@bessevaraven859]

If you reduce the coconut oil by 5 or 10% or put a tad more beeswax you can reduce some of the greasy te ture. Like a food recipe there are always slight adjustments that can be made for flavour/scent/texture...lolololol...same with lip balm

[@Dwynfal]

I know this video is old, but I do hope you see this comment! Have you tried jojoba oil? It's not an actual oil but a wax ester and whilst it does a great job moisturising skin, it doesn't leave an oily feel behind at all. Just a drop or two is enough to really moisturise your hands. I too can get "skin so dry it splits and bleeds" but that's no longer an issue with jojoba oil.

[@lynnmorello7863]

bee wax. use a grater.

[@Zone8-jk]

4:57

[@livc1981]

😎👍💖

[@terribishop5313]

Dry skin is a lack of minerals and water, I completely solved mine at 60. Why then am I watching this video? Because my hands dry out sewing and playing with fabric every day.

[@gettheetothestitchery]

Oh my goodness, same! Between all the fabric, woodworking, gardening... my hands are just constantly dry.

[@lizcademy4809]

According to the skin care professionals, dehydrated skin is missing water; dry skin is missing the emolients (oils, butters, waxes, et c.) that seal the water in. Depending on your particular skin, you might need either or both. My current hobby is cosmetic formulation. I haven't made lotion bars because I can't stand greasy things. I have made many, many lotions - depending on the formulation, your can custom tailor a lotion to do almost anything. Formulation is a deep rabbit hole. If anyone wants to get started, I suggest Swift Crafty Monkey's blog.

[@ResettiX]

seeing her just fully keep pouring the mint oil in while she looked away gave me a heart attack. and then seeing her turn back and sniff it and nearly die... yeah. it's recommended like... maybe ten drops for that amount??

[@haticemertturkguven9422]

👋👌👌👌👏👏👏👏👍👍👍💕💕🤗

[@forest487]

Why didn’t they just wear gloves?

[@Rodmic-hd9pn]

Big time beginner

[@maudline]

🆘Please be careful with oregano oil!!! It needs to be heavily diluted otherwise it will cause burns! ‼️ And I think you need to use high spf after use because your skin is more sensitive after using it. You might get away with it this time because of all the carrier oils but do be mindful

[@nokieng6502]

Hot wax/butter/oil poured into plastic😳😢🧐🫣🫣 WHY? What happen to glassware!!